AU768752B2 - Bottom entry pumping system with tertiary containment - Google Patents

Bottom entry pumping system with tertiary containment Download PDF

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Publication number
AU768752B2
AU768752B2 AU27392/00A AU2739200A AU768752B2 AU 768752 B2 AU768752 B2 AU 768752B2 AU 27392/00 A AU27392/00 A AU 27392/00A AU 2739200 A AU2739200 A AU 2739200A AU 768752 B2 AU768752 B2 AU 768752B2
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Australia
Prior art keywords
line
container
liquid
storage tank
cryogenic
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Expired
Application number
AU27392/00A
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AU2739200A (en
Inventor
Ned P. Baudat
Ali I. Riche
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ConocoPhillips Co
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Phillips Petroleum Co
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
    • F04B41/00—Pumping installations or systems specially adapted for elastic fluids
    • F04B41/02—Pumping installations or systems specially adapted for elastic fluids having reservoirs
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
    • F04B37/00—Pumps having pertinent characteristics not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04B25/00 - F04B35/00
    • F04B37/06—Pumps having pertinent characteristics not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04B25/00 - F04B35/00 for evacuating by thermal means
    • F04B37/08—Pumps having pertinent characteristics not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04B25/00 - F04B35/00 for evacuating by thermal means by condensing or freezing, e.g. cryogenic pumps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C3/00—Vessels not under pressure
    • F17C3/02—Vessels not under pressure with provision for thermal insulation
    • F17C3/022—Land-based bulk storage containers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C3/00—Vessels not under pressure
    • F17C3/02—Vessels not under pressure with provision for thermal insulation
    • F17C3/08—Vessels not under pressure with provision for thermal insulation by vacuum spaces, e.g. Dewar flask
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C9/00—Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied or solidified gases from vessels not under pressure
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0602—Wall structures; Special features thereof
    • F17C2203/0604—Liners
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0602—Wall structures; Special features thereof
    • F17C2203/0612—Wall structures
    • F17C2203/0614—Single wall
    • F17C2203/0619—Single wall with two layers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0636—Metals
    • F17C2203/0639—Steels
    • F17C2203/0643—Stainless steels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0636—Metals
    • F17C2203/0648—Alloys or compositions of metals
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0658—Synthetics
    • F17C2203/0663—Synthetics in form of fibers or filaments
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0678—Concrete
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0323—Valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0352—Pipes
    • F17C2205/0355—Insulation thereof
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F17C2223/0161—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2223/033—Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/01—Propulsion of the fluid
    • F17C2227/0128—Propulsion of the fluid with pumps or compressors
    • F17C2227/0135—Pumps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/04—Methods for emptying or filling
    • F17C2227/044—Methods for emptying or filling by purging
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
    • F17C2260/01—Improving mechanical properties or manufacturing
    • F17C2260/013—Reducing manufacturing time or effort

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
  • Float Valves (AREA)
  • Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
  • Control Of Non-Positive-Displacement Pumps (AREA)
  • Details Of Reciprocating Pumps (AREA)
  • Reciprocating Pumps (AREA)

Abstract

A bottom entry pumping system for liquids, particularly cryogenic liquids, is described which includes a container with an outer wall, which may be concrete and/or metal, and an optional inner metal liner. A line is provided for transporting liquid from a liquid storage tank into the container via a pump connected to the line. The line may be optionally vacuum-jacketed. There is also provided at least one cryogenic valve in the line which can be controlled from outside the container. While pumping liquified natural gas (LNG) is an expected use of the invention, pumping other cryogenic liquids and even other non-cryogenic liquids may be performed with the invention. It is anticipated that the bottom entry pumping system of the invention will meet NFPA 59A requirements in the full containment embodiment.

Description

BOTTOM ENTRY PUMPING SYSTEM WITH TERTIARY CONTAINMENT Field of the Invention The present invention relates to methods and structures for pumping liquids to and from a tank, and in a further embodiment relates to methods and structures for pumping liquids from a tank at cryogenic temperatures.
Background of the Invention Conventionally, liquified natural gas (LNG) is pumped to and from a tank via a pump which has been positioned within the bottom of the tank up through a pipe to the top of the tank to a relatively expensive, complex and sizable piping and handling system that is built at considerable expense on top of the LNG tank.
It is desirable to reduce the cost, complexity, size and construction time for a system used to pump LNG to and from its storage tank.
fr Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a simplified method and apparatus *for pumping cryogenic liquids such as LNG to and from a storage tank safely. In particular, it would be desirable to provide an apparatus for pumping cryogenic liquids such as LNG to and from a storage tank safely, and more simply and less complexly than currently done, and which can be built relatively more quickly.
SSummary of the Invention S•According to one aspect, the present invention provides a bottom entry pumping system for cryogenic liquids comprising: a container including an outer wall made of a material selected from the group consisting of concrete, stainless steel, carbon steel, and combinations thereof, where the container is at least partially surrounded by earth for additional containment; a line for transporting liquid to or from a liquid storage tank through the container; a pump connected to the line for pumping liquid into or out of the liquid storage tank; and at least one cryogenic valve in the line which can be controlled from outside the container.
According to another aspect, the present invention provides a bottom entry pumping system for cryogenic liquids comprising: a container including an outer wall made of a material selected from the group consisting of concrete, stainless steel, carbon steel, and combinations thereof, where the container additionally includes an inner liner, W:\GeorgiaXPWG Specx648075 pg l.doc i where the liner is made of a metal rated for cryogenic temperatures, where the container is at least partially surrounded by earth for additional containment; a line for transporting liquid to or from a liquid storage tank through the container; a pump connected to the line for pumping liquid into or out of the liquid storage tank; and at least one cryogenic valve in the line which can be controlled from outside the container.
According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a bottom entry pumping system for cryogenic liquids comprising: a container including an outer wall made of a material selected from the group consisting of concrete, stainless steel, carbon steel, and combinations thereof, where the container is at least partially surrounded by earth for additional containment; a line for transporting liquid to or from a liquid storage tank through the container; a pump connected to the line for pumping liquid into or out of the liquid storage tank; at least one cryogenic valve in the line which can be controlled from outside the container; and an inert gas purge line in the container to permit the container to be purged with an inert gas.
Thus, in one form, the present invention provides a bottom entry pumping system for cryogenic liquids which includes a container which has an outer wall, which may be concrete and/or metal stainless or carbon steel), and an optional inner metal liner, where the metal is rated for cryogenic temperatures. The system also has a line *for transporting liquid from a liquid storage tank through the container, and a pump S 20 connected to the line for pumping liquid into or out of the liquid storage tank.
Optionally, this line is vacuum-jacketed. The system also includes at least one S. cryogenic valve in the line, which can be controlled from outside the container.
In another form, the present invention also provides a method of pumping a cryogenic liquid, including the steps of: providing a bottom entry pumping system according to the invention as described above; and pumping liquid into or out of the S.liquid storage tank through the line using the pump.
00 0 oooo• C:\wirndows\TEMP\S48075 pg .doc WO 00/45085 PCT/US00/02039 In the case where an optional inner metal liner is not used, powdered perlite (eutectic between ferite and cementite) can be used to fill the voids between the outer wall and the equipment. Another optional feature is to provide earthen dikes or berms in place around the bottom entry pumping system for further containment.
Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the bottom entry pumping system of this invention.
It will be appreciated that the Figure is not to scale or proportion as it is simply a schematic for illustration purposes.
Detailed Description of the Invention The invention herein employs a bottom entry pumping system for liquified natural gas (LNG) tanks in lieu of the traditional top entry pumping system, which typically requires complex piping on the tank roof. The fundamental principle of this invention is to reduce the cost associated with the traditional top entry pumping system, and also to reduce the construction schedule and delay costs associated with building a mammoth piping and handling system on top of the tanks.
It will be appreciated that the bottom entry pumping system could be employed advantageously for any liquid, particularly any cryogenic liquid, LNG being simply one example. Cryogenic is defined in its normal meaning as concerning any liquid at a temperature below -100°F (-73 0 This definition of course includes, but is not limited to, other liquified gases including, but not necessarily limited to, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, hydrocarbon gases (e.g.
methane and the like) at temperatures of approximately -260 0 F (-162 0
C).
The inventive bottom entry pumping system utilizes a simplified design concept for bottom entry piping to an LNG pump, for example. The piping system and the LNG pump will be contained in a concrete container or box with an optional stainless steel liner, e.g. to form a full containment design integral with the tank for the piping and the pump. If less than full containment is desired, the invention can be practiced in an embodiment without an inner liner. The container wall may thus be constructed of stainless steel, carbon steel, concrete, or a combination thereof.
The piping system may optionally utilize vacuum-jacketed pipe not used in prior LNG pumping service.
Cryogenic valves with extended bonnets and actuators or the like will be located outside the concrete container or box.
WO 00/45085 PCT/USOO/02039 A cryogenic pump to handle the LNG, will have maintenance access outside the concrete box (on the top as shown in FIG. I).
A stainless steel sleeve (or other suitable metal) will be seal welded to the tank inner liner and the concrete box liner and the outer jacket of the vacuumjacketed pipe, if present, to form double containment for the LNG.
A separate box or container may be provided for each pump which will facilitate maintenance.
The concrete box or container may be provided with a nitrogen purge system to remove any hydrocarbon or other flammable vapor from the container.
The box or container will be provided with maintenance access to maintain equipment inside the box or container.
More particularly referring to FIG. 1, the bottom entry pumping system generally referred to as 10 includes a container 12 optionally placed into the earth 13, which container 12 has at least an outer concrete wall 14 and an optional inner metal liner 16. Where the bottom entry pumping system 10 is designed and built to pump cryogenic liquids, e.g. LNG, the inner metal liner 16, if present, should be rated for the cryogenic temperatures expected. In a non-limiting example, the inner metal liner 16 may be made of metals including, but not necessarily limited to, stainless steel, 9% nickel iron or any other material rated for cryogenic temperatures and combinations thereof.
Also present in the bottom entry pumping system 10 is a line 18, optionally vacuum-jacketed, for transporting liquid from a liquid storage tank 20 through the container 12. A pump 22 is connected to the vacuum-jacketed line 18 for pumping liquid out of the liquid storage tank 20 via pump line 24. There is also provided at least one first cryogenic valve 26 in the vacuum-jacketed line 18 which can be controlled from outside the container 12. In a non-limiting example, cryogenic valve 26 is a butterfly valve with extended bonnet 28 or other actuator.
It is expected that the optionally vacuum-jacketed line 18 joins the liquid storage tank 20 near the bottom of the tank 20. By "near the bottom of the tank 20", it is meant as close to the bottom as practical up to a distance or height where it would be impractical or unwise to have such a connection made.
The bottom entry pumping system 10 may further include an equalizing vent line 30 in the vacuum-jacketed line 18 to the liquid storage tank 20 for venting LNG back to the tank 20 or equalizing pressures therein. In this case there is provided a second cryogenic valve 32 with extended control bonnet 33 (or other actuator) in the vacuum-jacketed line 18 between the equalizing vent line 30 and the pump 22. The equalizing vent line 30 will typically be provided with a valve 34.
WO 00/45085 PCT/US00/02039 Container 12 may also be provided with an inert gas purge line 36 to permit the container to be purged with an inert gas such as nitrogen or the like in a nonlimiting example.
In most cases, it is expected to be desirable to provide a sleeve 38 around the vacuum-jacketed line 18 where the line enters the container 12 from the tank The sleeve 38 may also be made of a metal rated for cryogenic temperatures, as described above. The stainless steel sleeve 38 (or other suitable metal) will be seal welded to the tank metal inner liner 40 and the inner metal liner 16 and the outer jacket of the vacuum-jacketed pipe 18 to form at least double containment for the LNG, or other cryogenic liquid, in one non-limiting embodiment.
It is anticipated that in some embodiments a separate box or container 12 may be provided for each pump 22 for the tank 20 which will facilitate maintenance and isolation of the equipment. Alternatively, it may be desirable to place more than one pump 22 in a container 12 in some instances.
It is believed that the inventive design will reduce cost and schedule time for installation of the pumping system. For example, it is estimated that the cost savings will range between two and five million dollars per tank, although, of course, this will depend on the size of the tank and the number and size of the pumps required and specified. It is also expected that this invention will provide a bottom entry pumping system which will meet National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 59A requirements in the full containment embodiment (which includes the inner metal liner 16). If full containment is not required, the design can be further optimized and reduced in complexity by elimination of the inner metal liner. Perlite may be optionally used to fill the space between the equipment and the outer wall 14, in the event no inner metal liner 16 is employed. Perlite may also be used to fill the space between the equipment and inner metal liner 16, when present, if desired.
In one preferred, optional embodiment, both a perlite fill and an inert gas purge may be used together. In another, optional feature, earthen dikes or berms (not shown) may be put in place around the bottom entry pumping system 10 for further containment.
In the full, tertiary containment embodiment, the liquid being pumped is contained by at least three barriers: the optional vacuum-jacketed line 18, (2) the inner metal liner 16, and the concrete walls 14 of the container 12. The method and apparatus of this invention are expected to reduce cost and schedule time for constructing LNG pumping systems, particularly with the advantage of permitting construction on grade level.
In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof, and has been demonstrated as effective in providing structures and procedures for pumping liquids, particularly cryogenic liquids, from a storage tank. However, it will be evident that various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit or scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, the specification is to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. For example, there may be other ways of configuring and/or operating the bottom entry pumping system differently from those explicitly described and shown herein which nevertheless fall within the scope of the claims. In an additional instance, a different valve control mechanism other than cryogenic butterfly valves with extended bonnets may be used.
Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising" are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.
o *o go o o* g W:\VioletWNodeetee\548075,doc

Claims (17)

1. A bottom entry pumping system for cryogenic liquids comprising: a container including an outer wall made of a material selected from the group consisting of concrete, stainless steel, carbon steel, and combinations thereof, where the container is at least partially surrounded by earth for additional containment; a line for transporting liquid to or from a liquid storage tank through the container; a pump connected to the line for pumping liquid into or out of the liquid storage tank; and at least one cryogenic valve in.the line which can be controlled from outside the container. oe
2. A bottom entry pumping system according to claim 1, further comprising an 15 equalizing vent line from the line to the liquid storage tank, and further comprising at least a first cryogenic valve in the line between the liquid storage tank and the equalizing vent line, and at least a second cryogenic valve in the line between the equalizing vent line and the pump. S 20 3. A bottom entry pumping system according to claim 2, further comprising a valve in the equalizing vent line.
4. A bottom entry pumping system according to claim 1, further comprising a sleeve around the line where the line, enters the container from the tank, the sleeve is made of a metal rated for cryogenic temperatures, and where the sleeve is welded to the inner metal liner and the line. A bottom entry pumping system according to claim 4, where the metal of the sleeve is stainless steel.
6. A bottom entry pumping system according to claim 1, where the liquid in the liquid storage tank is liquefied natural gas (LNG). W:\GeorgiaPWG SpecM\4807.doc
7. A bottom entry pumping system according to claim 1, where the line joins the liquid storage tank near the bottom thereof.
8. A bottom entry pumping system according to claim 1, where the line is vacuum- jacketed along at least part of its length.
9. A method for pumping a cryogenic liquid comprising: providing a bottom entry pumping system including: a container including an outer wall made of a material selected from the group consisting of concrete, stainless steel, carbon steel, and combinations thereof, where the container is at least partially surrounded by earth; a line for transporting liquid to or from a liquid storage tank through the container; a pump connected to the line for pumping liquid into or out of the liquid 15 storage tank; and ~at least one cryogenic valve in the line which can be controlled from S. outside the container; and pumping liquid into or out of the liquid storage tank through the line using the pump. Sl0. A method according to claim 9, where in providing the bottom entry pumping system, the system further comprises an equalizing vent line from the line to the liquid storage tank, and further comprising at least a first cryogenic valve in the line between *o the liquid storage tank and the equalizing vent line, and at least a second cryogenic valve in the line between the equalizing vent line and the pump.
11. A method according to claim 10, where in providing the bottom entry pumping system the system, further comprises a valve in the equalizing vent line.
12. A method according to claim 9, wherein providing the bottom entry pumping system, the system further comprises a sleeve around the line where the line enters the container from the tank, the sleeve is made of a metal rated for cryogenic temperatures, and where the sleeve is welded to the inner metal liner and the line. W:\AGeorgiavPWG SpecF648075.doc
13. A method according to claim 12, where in providing the bottom entry pumping system, the metal of the sleeve is stainless steel.
14. A method according to claim 9, where the liquid is liquefied natural gas (LNG). A method according to claim 9, wherein providing the bottom entry pumping system, the line joins the liquid storage tank near the bottom thereof.
16. A method according to claim 9, wherein providing the bottom entry pumping system, the line is vacuum-jacketed along at least part of its length.
17. A bottom entry pumping system for cryogenic liquids comprising: a container including an outer wall made of a material selected from the group consisting of concrete, stainless steel, carbon steel, and combinations thereof, where the container additionally includes an inner liner, where the liner is made of a metal rated for cryogenic temperatures, and where the container is at least partially surrounded by earth for additional containment; a line for transporting liquid to or from a liquid storage tank through the container; a pump connected to the line for pumping liquid into or out of the liquid storage S. tank; and at least one cryogenic valve in the line which can be controlled from outside the container.
18. A bottom entry pumping system for cryogenic liquids comprising: container including an outer wall made of a material selected from the group consisting of concrete, stainless steel, carbon steel, and combinations thereof, where the i container is at least partially surrounded by earth for additional containment; S: 30 a line for transporting liquid to or from a liquid storage tank through the container; a pump connected to the line for pumping liquid into or out of the liquid storage tank; C:\wiindows\TEMP\648075.doc at least one cryogenic valve in the line which can be controlled from outside the container; and an inert gas purge line in the container to permit the container to be purged with an inert gas.
19. A method for pumping a cryogenic liquid comprising: providing a bottom entry pumping system including: a container including an outer wall made of a material selected from the group consisting of concrete, stainless steel, carbon steel, and combinations thereof, where the container is a least partially surrounded by earth; a line for transporting liquid to or from a liquid storage tank through the container; a pump connected to the line for pumping liquid into or out of the liquid storage tank; at least one cryogenic valve in the line which can be controlled from outside the container; and an inert gas purge line in the container to permit the container to be purged with an inert gas; S"and 20 pumping liquid into or out of the liquid storage tank through the line using the *PUMP- pump. A method for pumping a cryogenic liquid comprising: providing a bottom entry pumping system including: a container including an outer wall made of a material selected from the group consisting of concrete, stainless steel, carbon steel, and combinations S.0- thereof, where the container further includes an inner liner, where the liner is i made of a metal rated for cryogenic temperatures, where the container is a least •:000: partially surrounded by earth; S: 30 a line for transporting liquid to or from a liquid storage tank through the .00°0 container; a pump connected to the line for pumping liquid into or out of the liquid storage tank; and W:NMELISSAGLC%27392-00 Claimsdoc i* at least one cryogenic valve in the line which can be controlled from outside the container; and pumping liquid into or out of the liquid storage tank through the line using the pump.
21. A bottom entry pumping system for cryogenic liquids substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
22. A method for pumping cryogenic liquid substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated: 3 November 2003 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: ,A* PHILLIPS PETROLEU COMP *a a e W:\MEUSSA\GLC27392-00 Claims.doc 1 0
AU27392/00A 1999-01-29 2000-01-27 Bottom entry pumping system with tertiary containment Expired AU768752B2 (en)

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EP1153238B1 (en) 2006-12-27
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NO320352B1 (en) 2005-11-28
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US6286320B1 (en) 2001-09-11
WO2000045085A1 (en) 2000-08-03
ATE349647T1 (en) 2007-01-15
KR20010104333A (en) 2001-11-24
KR100628477B1 (en) 2006-09-26
BR0007776A (en) 2002-09-10
CA2363062C (en) 2004-11-16
CA2363062A1 (en) 2000-08-03
JP2002535564A (en) 2002-10-22

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